Tom Green Co. Commissioners Consider Raises for DAs & DOD Funding for Coliseum

SAN ANGELO – Tom Green County Commissioners will consider applying for a $20 million grant from the Department of Defense through a pilot program to fund in part expansion and renovation of the San Angelo Coliseum.  

The coliseum is owned by the City of San Angelo and it is against the law for the County to spend taxpayer dollars on a facility it doesn't own.  The San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Association presented a plan to expand the aging facility during the 2022 Rodeo.  That expansion is a $30 million project that includes almost doubling the seating capacity and adding 60 suites, ticket booths, handicapped facilities, meeting rooms, and expanded restroom facilities. 

The SASSR had requested Tom Green County place a $30 million bond on the ballot before voters but the Texas Attorney General nixed that idea because of legal issues.  

As we reported earlier, the association has been attempting to secure funding for the project from other sources.

The Commissioners Court on Tuesday will consider submitting a proposal for a funding request of $20 million from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, under the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program to assist with the expansion of the San Angelo Coliseum.  

Also on the Tuesday in an agenda item to consider District Attorney office salaries.  Normally, salary requests are considered by the court during budget hearings in July when all county departments make salary requests and present budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year.  District Attorneys Allison Palmer and John Best requested the salary item be placed on the agenda.  

Tom Green County Commissioners meet in regular session at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2023 in the Commissioners Court Meeting Room on the second floor of the Keyes Building downtown.  The regular court hearing is open to the public.